Arauca, February 14, 2021. The Minister of Health and Social Protection, Fernando Ruiz, took stock of the investment in health made in the province of Arauca for medical attention in the pandemic and the strengthening of the hospital network, in the framework of the Compromiso por Colombia event, held in the municipality of Arauca.
"We have invested a total of $16.24 billion for covid-19, which include: resources for public health surveillance, $1.2 billion to strengthen the province's public health laboratory, infrastructure projects worth $1.5 billion, and equipment of different types such as fans, monitors and infusion pumps for $5.2 billion, and $1.5 billion for personal protective equipment," he said.
In addition, transfers were made for the settlement of overdue obligations of the public network hospitals for $4.7 billion to four State Social Enterprises (ESE); a bonus of $1.6 billion for healthcare workers which total 1,198 beneficiaries, advance payment for the availability of intensive care worth $1.0 billion and temporary financial compensation for $38 million.
Ruiz pointed out that "this investment has allowed us to deliver good management, in addition to the great efforts that have been made in the province, with a relatively moderate impact throughout the entire epidemic with about 5,400 people affected, of which 5,200 have recovered."
He added that this situation has not ended, so we cannot lower our guard, but he repeated that the work in the province has been good and it has a good outlook.
Within the co-financed projects, in terms of infrastructure and endowment, the National Government contributed $11.58 billion; $10.0 billion for the San José de Cravo Norte Hospital, a project that is underway, and $1.5 billion for the provision of the San Vicente de Arauca hospital. In general, investment in the province of Arauca amounts to $27.8 billion.
Covid-19 vaccination
The head of the health ministry referred to the implementation of the National Vaccination Plan against covid-19 in the province, announcing that "here the goal in Arauca is 185,337 Araucans throughout this year. This includes a first group who are 4,601 people over 80 years of age, and the healthcare workers which are 726."
He explained that by February 20, the goal is to immunize 120 of the 726 health workers, therefore kicking off the entire vaccination process in the province.
"We are going to work with certain goals, not with speculations, and we are going to follow a weekly schedule, which will grow exponentially, so it is very important that the province hire all the personnel required for vaccination, have its province and municipal vaccination plan formulated, and also have the territorial vaccination work group in place, which is the instrument integrating EPSs, IPSs, and territorial entities in order to advance and plan the entire process," he said.
He recalled that in the coming week, everything must be running smoothly and that the work must be integrated. "The National Government has already bought 35.2 million vaccines; we need the implementation in the territories and the people's trust."
The official provided the necessary encouragement by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection for the implementation of the National Vaccination Plan and thanked the Arauca people's hospitality.
